Rodolfo B. Celada, Municipal Agriculturist of Carmen, Surigao del Sur, delivers his message encouraging the farmers to finish and complete the FFS on cacao production during its launching on July 26, 2021.
Los Angeles, Butuan City – In support to the cacao industry and marketing opportunities, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII launched the Farmers Field School (FFS) with 20 participants in four sites within the region which will run up to 16 sessions.
The first site was launched on July 26, 2021 in Carmen, Surigao del Sur followed by Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte on July 29, 2021, then third site in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur on July 30, 2021 and finally in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur last August 17, 2021.
Topics included the overview of cacao industry and status and prospects of the industry and marketing opportunities, elements of Good Agricultural Production (GAP), cultural management practice of cacao, pests and diseases of cacao and their control measures, and harvest and post-harvest management of cacao.
The said activities were spearheaded by Mary Jane Gonzaga, High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) point person, under the Partnership and Accreditation Services Section (PASS) of ATI-RTC XIII.